1 Samuel 12:19-20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 12:16-25

Two things Samuel here aims at:? I. To convince the people of their sin in desiring a king. They were now rejoicing before God in and with their king (1 Sam. 11:15), and offering to God the sacrifices of praise, which they hoped God would accept; and this perhaps made them think that there was no harm in their asking a king, but really they had done well in it. Therefore Samuel here charges it upon them as their sin, as wickedness, great wickedness in the sight of the Lord. Note, Though we... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 12:19

And all the people said unto Samuel , During the tempest, and in the midst of it; it was the general cry of the people, they were unanimous in it: pray for thy servants unto the Lord thy God, that we die not ; though they had rejected him as their judge and supreme governor in desiring a king, now they were his humble servants, at least feignedly; and knowing what interest he had with God in prayer, they entreat him to make use of it on their behalf, who having sinned so greatly, had not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 12:20

And Samuel said unto the people, fear not ,.... Being destroyed by the tempest: ye have done all this wickedness ; in asking a king; that is, though they were guilty of so heinous a sin, yet there were grace and mercy with God, and they should not despair of it, so be it that they did not depart from him, but cordially served him; the Targum is,"ye have been the cause of all this evil;'the storm of thunder and rain; and though they had, he would not have them despond or indulge slavish... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 12:19

Pray for thy servants - that we die not - As they knew they had rebelled against God, they saw that they had every thing to fear from his justice and power. We have added unto all our sins this evil - It is no sin to have a king; a good king is one of the greatest blessings of God's providence; but it is a sin to put a man in the place of God. Is it not strange that they did not now attempt to repair their fault? They might have done it, but they did not; they... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 12:20

Ye have done all this wickedness - That is, although ye have done all this wickedness: what was past God would pass by, provided they would be obedient in future. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 12:16-25

The outward sign. The facts are— 1 . Samuel, to confirm his argument, calls for thunder and rain during the wheat harvest, thus imperilling their property. 2 . The people, awed by the event, entreat for his intercession. 3 . Samuel encourages hope on the ground of God's mercy, and promises to pray for and instruct them. 4 . He makes a final appeal, setting forth the blessed and sad alternative consequences. Samuel knew well with whom he had to deal; and, therefore, besides... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 12:19

Pray for thy servants. On Samuel's mediatorial office see 1 Samuel 7:5 , 1 Samuel 7:8 . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 12:20

Ye have done all this wickedness. The ye is emphatic, and to give its force we should translate, "Ye have indeed done all this evil." From following Jehovah. See on 1 Samuel 12:15 . read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 12:19-21

1 Samuel 12:19-21. The Lord thy God Whom thou hast so great an interest in, while we are ashamed and afraid to call him our God. Fear not With a desponding fear, as if there are no hope left for you. But turn not ye aside After idols, as they had often done before, and, notwithstanding this warning, did afterward. Vain things So idols are called Deuteronomy 32:21, Jeremiah 2:5; and so they are, being mere nothings, having no power in them, no influence upon us, nor being of any use... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 12:1-25

Samuel’s farewell address (12:1-25)The people’s demand for a king was an insult to Samuel as well as to God. Samuel therefore called upon them to declare before God and before the king that he had been blameless in all his behaviour. He had given them no cause to be dissatisfied with his leadership (12:1-5).In the lengthy address that followed, Samuel reminded his hearers of all that God had done in giving Israel the land of Canaan for a homeland (6-8). He reminded them also that Israel’s... read more

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